Recessed lighting fixture mounting assembly



\ Nov. 17,1959 L..G.s1'AHLHu-r b REcEssED LIGHTING FIXTURE MOUNTING ASSEMBLY Filed nec. 2, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 HUMA L. G. STAHLHUT Nav. 17, 1959 RECESSED LIGHTING FIXTURE MOUNTING ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 2, 1954 United States Patent RECESSED LIGHTING FIXTURE MOUNTING ASSEMBLY Leo G. Stahlhut, Kirkwood, Mo., assigner to Day-Brite Lighting, Inc., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application December 2, 1954, Serial No. 472,663

4 Claims. (Cl. 248-4343) This invention relates to lighting fixture mounting assemblies in general and particularly to those for mounting ceiling and wall fixtures. More particularly this invention relates to mountings where the lighting fixture is recessed in the mounting surface.

Prior light fixture mounting assemblies have been made with provision for rigidly holding the fixture against the ceiling or mounting surface, but in none of these has clamping action been employed to hold the fixture in place. The clamping action has the advantage of steadying the fixture, eliminating vibration and preventing dislodgment of the fixture caused by surrounding disturbances.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide simple but positive means for mounting recessed lighting xtures in mounting surfaces by a clamping means so that the fixture will not be dislodged due to vibration orother disturbance.

Another object is to provide a recessed light fixture mounting assembly in which the exposed trim portion is an important securing means for the assembly and wherein this trim portion can Ibe adapted for flush mounting with plaster surfaces and to accommodate installations where there is an acoustic tile over layer.

Another object of the invention is to provide mounting means having bevelled stop elements and notches therein for insuring against the fixture sub-assembly falling from its mounted position.

Still a further object is to provide means for installing a recessed lighting fixture that can be accomplished simply and quickly by one person positioned on the visible side of the mounting surface.

This invention is embodied in an assembly comprising a rigid mounting frame positioned in an opening in a mounting surface, notches in a flange on the mounting frame to register with leg elements carried on the light fixture sub-assembly and bevelled stop means for the notches. When the lighting fixture assembly is installed the leg elements rest against -said flange on the mounting frame and the bevelled stop elements become effective means for preventing undesirable detachment of the lighting fixture assembly. A trim means removably connected to the lighting fixture sub-assembly is provided to complete the installation and to clamp the fixture sub-assembly in position. When the lighting fixture sub-assembly is clamped in position the leg elements exert pressure against said flange of the mounting frame, and the trim means abuts and exerts pressure againt the exposed mounting surface.

The invention also consists in the parts and the arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter claimed and described in the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and wherein like numerals and symbols refer to like parts wherever they occur:

Fig. 1 is asectional ele'vationaiview -of a. recessed light fixture mounting assembly installed in a plaster ceiling,

Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing a fragmentary portion of a recessed lighting fixture mounting assembly in a mounting surface modified to accommodate acoustic tile,

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View taken along line 3--3 in Fig. l, and

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevational view of the mounting frame.

Referreing to the drawings more in detail, Fig. l shows a sectional view of the recessed light fixture sub-assembly 1 with its frame 2 and light reducing elements 3,

four of said light reducing elements 3 being shown. Said light xture sub-assembly 1, is shown supported on leg elements 4 fixedly secured by suitable fastening means 5 to a flange 6 on the light fixture sub-assembly 1. Said flange 6 in Fig. 1 appears on the outermost light reducing element 3. It is discretionary how many, if any, light reducing elements 3 will be used. Therefore any of of the flanges 6 on the reducers 3 or the flange 6a on the frame 2 may be outermost and will carry said leg elements 4.

A mounting frame or sleeve 7 as shown in Fig.,4 is provided for supporting the light fixture sub-assembly 1 in place. A flange 8 on the mounting frame 7 is provided with spaced notches 9, equal in number to leg elements 4. On at least one side of at least one of the notches 9 is carried a bevelled stop element 10 by flange 8 of the mounting frame 7. Fig. 4V shows said stop elements 10 formed on both sides of every notch 9 for greater safety. Said flange 8 of the mounting frame 7 supports the light fixture sub-assembly 1 on said leg elements 4 with the leg elements 4 adjacent said stop elements 10.

An open center trim means 11 having adjustable engaging means 12 is removably connected to the flange 6 on the light fixture sub-assembly 1. As said adjustable engaging means 12 are drawn up bringing said trim means 11 flush against an exposed mounting surface 13` the light fixture sub-assembly 1 is clamped to the mounting frame 7 with said leg elements 4 pressing against saidv flange 8 on said mounting frame 7. A snugfit is all that is required thereby avoiding having the trim means 12 cut into or impress a groove in the surface 13.

When installing the light fixture sub-assembly 1 onl the mounting frame 7, the leg elements 4 are placed in' registration with the notches 9 in flange S of the mount-l ing frame 7. The lighting fixture sub-assembly 1, with its frame 2 and light reducing elements 3 is then passed' through an opening 14 in the mounting `frame 7 sufliciently far for the leg elements 4 to clear-said bevelled stop elements 10. The fixture sub-assembly 1 is then angularly displaced on its axis in either direction to.

clear said bevelled stop elements 10, and brought to rest with its fixedly attached leg elements 4 resting on the flange'S of the mounting frame 7 with said leg elements" 4 adjacent said stop elements 10. The bevelled stop elements 10 then prevent undesirable movement fixture sub-assembly 1 on said flange 8.

The adjustable engaging -means 12 pass through perforated dimpled depressions 1,5 in the open center trim-l means 11 and engage suitable cooperating means 16l carried by the flange 6 of the light fixture sub-assembly 1. Fig. 1 shows the perforated dimpled depression 15 in sectional elevation with threaded adjustableengagingmeans 12 passing through the perforation. Fig.`3 shows the flange 6 of the light fixture sub-assembly 1A withl locations for two threaded cooperating means 16 that connect with the adjustable engaging means A12. Said-` Y trim means 11 finishes the installation and clamps the light fixture sub-assembly 1 in place on the rnountiiig-` Patented Nov. 17 l95 9 of the' for lsecuring said mounting frame 7 to the innermost mounting surface 18;

When installing the light fixture sub-assembly 1, the adjustable engaging means 12 are backed ofi to give a loose fit' between the tiim means 11 and the flange 6 of the light fixture sub-assembly 1. This enables the leg elements 4 to clear the bevelled stop elements 10 when the light fixture sub-assembly 1 is passed through the opening 14 in the mounting frame 7. The leg elements 4 simultaneously pass through the notches 9 in the flange 8 of the mounting frame 7 With the light fixture subassembly 1; and upon angularly displacing the light fixture sub-assembly 1 in either direction, the leg elements 4 pass over the bevelled stop elements 10 on the flange 8, of the mounting frame 7. Thereafter the adjustable engaging means 12 are tightened to draw the trim means 1-1 against the visible mounting surface 14 simultaneously seating the light fixture sub-assembly 1 on its supporting leg elements 4 such that said leg elements 4 exert pressure on and, with the trim means 11, clamp the light fixture sub-assembly 1 to the flange 8 of the mounting frame 7.

Fig. 2 shows an alternate mounting arrangement in which the leg elements 4 have been reversed to permit the light fixture sub-assembly 1 to be installed more outwardly to accommodate a thicker mounting surface 13 such as one equipped with an acoustic tile over'- layer 19.

This light fixture mounting assembly 1 has the advantage of requiring no nails, screws or other fastening means to be imbedded in the exposed mounting surface. This mounting assembly 1 can be installed in ceilings, walls or any surface area by a single person situated on the exposed side of the mounting surface 13. The means employed also permits easy removal of the fixture subassembly 1 from the visible mounting surface 13 for inspection and repair and enables one servicing or installing the fixture sub-assembly 1 to retain the fixture sub-assembly 1 and its trim means 11 as a unit at' all Lighting fixture sub-assemblies 1 may be safely installed in ceilings and walls using this mounting assembly. The bevelled stop elements 10 formed on the sides of the notches 9 in the flange 8 of the mounting frame 7 prevent the leg elements 4 from undesirably turning on their axis and registering with the notches 9 in said flange 8. This provision is made so that light fixture sub-assemblies 1 will not fall through the mounting frame 7 should said adjustable engaging means 12 that clamp the fixture sub-assembly 1 to the mounting frame 7 work loose.

What I claim is:

1. In a lighting fixture mounting assembly, means scouring the fixture from one side of an opening in a supporting surface, such as 'a wall or ceiling, said means including a fixed mounting sleeve set in the surface opening with an inturned flange exposed in the opening, said inturned flange having notches therein in spaced relation, a fixture sub-assembly movable bodily through said mounting sleeve, leg means on said sub-assembly movable through said notches and said sub-assembly being revolvable relative to said mounting sleeve to position said leg means upon said inturned flange at one side of said notches, an open center trim means engageable with the supporting surface about the opening therein and extending inwardly of the opening to cover said inturned flange and the notches therein, and cooperating relatively movable threaded fastening means carried by said trim means and said sub-assembly, said fastening means car- Iiedby said trim means being located in an exposed positionthereon for manipulation relative to said fastening mnsarried bys'aidfsub-assembly, said fastening means carried by said trim means engaging said cooperating fastening means carried by said sub-assembly and securing said trim means against the mounting surface with said leg means engaged upon said inturned flange.

2. In a recessed lighting fixture mounting assembly, means securing the fixture from one side of an opening in a supporting surface, such as a Wall or ceiling, said means including a fixed mounting sleeve set in the opening of the surface with an inturned flange exposed in the opening and having notches formed therein, a fixture sub-assembly movable bodily through said mounting sleeve to a position within the surface opening, leg means on said sub-assembly having outwardly directed end portions movable through said notches and said sub-assembly being revolvable relative to said mounting sleeve to position said leg means upon said inturned flange to support said sub-assembly in 'the surface opening, an open center trim means overlapping the surface opening and said inturned flange to cover said inturned flange and substantially flush with the supporting surface, and releasable securing elements carried by said trim means and sub-assembly in position to interengage and draw said trim means against the supporting surface outwardly of said mounting sleeve and to press said leg means against said inturned flange at one side of said notches therein, said elements carried by said sub-assembly being obscured by said trim means and said elements carried by said trim means being exposed in the surface thereof adjacent the center opening.

3. In a recessed lighting fixture mounting assembly, means securing the fixture in a supporting surface from one side of an opening in such surface, said means including a mounting sleeve set in the supporting surface and having an inturned flange formed with spaced notches therein, a fixture subassembly movable bodily through the surface opening past said inturned flange and rotatable in said mounting sleeve, leg means carried by said sub-assembly and formed with angularly directed end portions adapted to pass through said notches and turn with said sub-assembly so as to rest upon said inturned flange out of registry with said notches, threaded elements carried by said sub-assembly, lan open center finishing trim means having its peripheral portion outwardly of the center opening covering said inturned flange and lapping the adjacent supporting surface lto bear thereon, said trim means being independently rotatable relative to said sub-assembly, and threaded means carried by said trim means to engage said threaded elements on said sub-assembly, said threaded means being exposed for manipulation relative to said threaded elements to threadedly engage said threaded elements and simultaneously press said leg projecting portions upon said inturned flange and draw said trim means against the supporting surface.

4. The recessed lighting fixture mounting assembly set forth in claim 3, wherein said inturned flange of said mounting sleeve is formed with stop elements adjacent said notches in position to arrest said angularly directed end portions of said projecting leg means on said subassembly from inadvertently registering with said notches.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,131,399 McGinley Mar. 9, 1915 2,040,258 Jacobi May 12, 1936 2,165,779 Blain July 11, 1939 2,189,008 Kurth Feb. 6, 1940 2,518,936 Roberts Aug. l5, 1950 2,640,148 McCandless May 26, 1953 2,642,241 Pryne June 16, 1953 2,716,185 Burlink Aug. 23, 1955 

